A former military police officer who now works as a private investigator said concerns about crime in Gwinnett County, as well as jail staffing, lead him to jump into the 2024 race for county sheriff.
Joseph Mark, an Army veteran who grew up in Gwinnett, kicked off his campaign for sheriff with a press conference Friday at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.
He told the Daily Post afterward that he plans to run against incumbent Sheriff Keybo Taylor in the Democratic Party primary next year, although he believes sheriffs should be elected in nonpartisan elections, the same way judges are elected.
“Gwinnett’s been my home my entire life (and) I’ve noticed there are problems that are facing our jails, right, and I’ve noticed an uptick in crime and I’m not happy with it,” Mark said.
Mark is among a growing number of people who have so far publicly announced plans to run in 2024 against Taylor, who is in his first term and is Gwinnett’s first Black sheriff. Retired Navy Capt. Baron Reinhold announced in March that he will run as a Republican for the seat.
The Georgia Campaign Finance Commission lists Curtis Clemons, who ran for sheriff in 2020, as having filed a declaration of intent to accept campaign contributions with the state in February for another run as a Democrat. Clemons, who has been working as an investigator in District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson’s office, has not yet made a formal public announcement, however.
There have been rumors that other candidates are looking at possibly jumping into the race as well.
Between his years as an MP in the Army and his work as a private investigator, Mark said he has about 25 years of law enforcement experience.
Mark highlighted giving youth alternative paths to street gangs and addressing mental health issues as his priorities.
“I believe that we must look ourselves in the…
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